How to choose a GDS, Global Distribution System, for your travel business - To Maximize Your Bookings and Increase Revenue

An essential part of the success of the travel business is a Global Distribution System (GDS). The Global Distribution System is a primary data source for online travel agencies.

GDS systems combine data from various travel service providers to allow travel agencies to make reservations on behalf of clients.

GDS systems simplify the process for online travel agencies eliminating the need for OTAs to connect with different airlines, hotels, and other companies for their inventory needs. As a result, GDS meets the inventory requirements of online reservation sites and travel agencies.

As such, if your travel agency is struggling with sales and attracting customers, it’s time to find out how to choose a GDS, Global Distribution System, for your travel business.

Here's everything you need to know about GDSs, their importance in the travel industry, and what the future looks like for this primary reservation tool.

What is a GDS (Global Distribution System)?

GDS stands for Global Distribution System, it is a computerized reservation network that will collect and manage reservations globally for Car, Hotel, Flight, Bus, Rail or Cruise and incorporates airline seating, hotel rooms, rental cars, check Cruise or ferries by travel agents or online booking websites and large travel corporations.

It is commonly used by travel agents and some large TMCs (Travel Management Companies) that manage their own OBTs (Online Booking Tools) to book reservations to any of the specific GDS configured for each company's users.

GDS provides real-time information to companies such as airlines, hotels, car rental, and travel agencies. Each of these industries takes benefits of Global Distribution System to view real-time inventory of travel-related services.

It collects inventory, schedules, and fares from providers and allows agents and OTAs to search and book them, using connectivity APIs for OTAs and via a manual terminal for agents.

The Global Distribution System (GDS) is a network/platform that allows travel agencies and their clients to access travel data, shop for and compare reservation options and book travel. GDS systems generate billions of dollars in global travel sales.

Through such commerce platforms, agents can view scheduling and inventory of hotels, airlines, car rentals, and railway and bus reservations – in real-time. GDS connects all of these services across the three primary travel reservation sectors (airline, hotel, and ground transportation, i.e., car rentals), as well as activities. 

Global distribution systems are widely recognized for driving the growth of the travel industry and serving as the base for the majority of internet-based travel services. It provides global data, rates, inventory, offers, and real-time availability of airlines, hotel rooms, car rentals, and bus tickets, and many more, to make the travel industry more informatics and sophisticated.

Independent travel agents, online agents, and travel agencies are enormously using highly powerful GDS booking systems to find their clients the best available travel and accommodations and rates. Agents will make airline and hotel reservations for clients in real-time, and their research and bookings will be completed in seconds.

Global Distribution Systems are responsible for providing booking websites with unified access to a huge inventory of flights, hotel rooms, car rental companies, cruises, and much more.

GDS is extremely important for travel agencies, hotels, airlines, car rentals, and many other businesses. GDS is the amalgamation point of three primary services – car rentals, airlines, and hotels.

GDS Networks assist travel companies, agents, and their customers in gaining access to travel data by comparing rates, reservation options, access schedules, and inventories (hotels, airlines, car rental, holidays, bus tickets, railway tickets), as well as the ability for customers to book tickets online. 

Trawex elevates your business by providing the best solutions possible through the use of GDS Integration Technology. It is an appropriate service choice to adapt to the needs and demands of travel agents, suppliers, and travelers.

Trawex is an authorized partner of GDS systems to integrate hotels, airlines, buses, and rental cars with B2B, B2C, and B2B2C modules. The top GDS Systems integrated by Trawex are Amadeus, Travelport, Sabre, Galileo, Worldspan, and many more.

How important is GDS to the travel and tourism business?

• Travel agents/agencies use the GDS system to search for the best option in terms of travel, hotel accommodations.

• GDS system also supports travel websites such as Booking.com, Trip Advisor, and others.

• GDS offers useful features such as airfare searches, availability, connectivity, policies, and so on.

• Travel agents/agencies can complete their search and book within seconds with the help of the GDS system.

How Do Travel Companies Use GDS?

Travel companies use GDS to find the best airline ticket, car rental, hotel rooms, etc. for their clients. Travel companies customize information based on the customer's preferences and itinerary.

When a traveler requests data from a travel company, the agent will find the most accurate and cost-effective itinerary. Travel companies are compensated each time they access the GDS, or they can purchase particular software offered by the GDS on a yearly basis.

Major GDSs are:

• Amadeus 

• Galileo

• Sabre

• Worldspan

• Apollo

1] Amadeus – 

• Operating over 30 years.

• The largest global network of any GDS.

• The leading transaction processor of the global travel industry provides advanced technologies to travel agencies.

• The company handles complex transactions between travel sellers and travel providers.

2] Galileo - 

• Owned by Travelport. Travelport Worldwide Ltd has a vast geographical presence in the travel industry.

• In addition to airline booking, it is used to book trains, cars, and hotels.

• It is a member of the International Air Transport Association.

3] Sabre – 

• Pioneer for revenue management, corporate booking tools, web, and mobile itinerary tools.

• Sabre Travel Network consists of a set of solutions that incorporate the GDS.

• Provides products and services to the global travel and tourism industry.

4] Worldspan – 

• It is a Travelport platform.

• It is a technology leader in web-based travel.

• It offers technologies and services to travel companies all over the world.

5] Apollo – 

• Allow travel agents to book flight tickets, hotel rooms, car rentals, vacation packages, and so on.

• Offers technology, online distribution, payments, and other services to the travel industry.

Why do Travel Agents need access to GDS Systems like Amadeus, Galileo, and Sabre?

In today’s era, having a GDS system and online presence is very essential in providing competitive pricing, service, and convenience. GDS network is a vast network that offers valuable marketing exposure to travel websites and to travel agencies/agents. As a result, if a travel company has not yet implemented a GDS system, they must do so immediately.

GDS is a computerized web service that provides the global travel industry with pricing, real-time availability, centralized data display, and reservation functionality in a unified platform. Amadeus, Sabre, and Galileo are the three major GDS providers in the travel industry, assisting travel agents in increasing the volume of travel transactions.

Many travel agents around the world are using the Global Distribution System such as Amadeus, Sabre, and Galileo GDS as their primary booking channels. It is also responsible for the significant growth of the tourism industry.

A global distribution system is an automated channel that eases transactions and networking between travel service providers and travel agents. Travel agents can also be connected directly to airlines or hotels via a GDS system.

A GDS software also provides travel agents with access to travel data that allows them to compare the prices and amenities offered by various airlines, car rentals, and hotels to get the best deal for their clients.

A GDS platform is the main access point for the travel industry to push and pull real-time inventory for airlines, hotels, car rentals, cruise ships, railways, and more.

If you are in the travel industry, whether you are a travel agent, a hospitality organization, or planning to launch an Online Travel Agency (OTA), you must choose a GDS, Global Distribution System, for your travel business that supports your marketing initiatives.

Integrations with a GDS can be set up to present data clearly and seamlessly. Features can be incorporated to compare many factors like pricing, location, dates, airline seating, and times. Having all of that data in one place, in a user-friendly interface, will increase brand loyalty and provide you with a competitive edge.

As the travel industry becomes more cluttered, businesses must rely on Global Distribution Systems to gain exposure. Trawex can seamlessly integrate with GDSs such as Travelport (Galileo, Apollo, Worldspan), Amadeus, and Sabre, allowing you to expand your travel offerings and grow your business.

To save costs and be connected to a GDS in a consistent way a travel agent can also engage with platforms like Trawex which help travel companies both big and small and independent travel agents create their digital presence.

Trawex's developers will configure and customize your platform, whether it is a hotel or an intermediary like OTAs so that the most appropriate data is pushed and pulled for consumers to access it with ease.

What are the benefits of Using GDS (Global Distribution System)?

GDS will be the primary distribution channel for airlines, hotels, and car rental companies. Here are some of the most significant advantages of using GDS.

• Effective in attracting international travelers

• 24/7 access to inventory

• Allows for business models such as retail travel agency and online travel agency (OTA)

• Increase pricing transparency for customers

• Travel agents can get a global platform with a strong market penetration

• Provide your customers with the best rates that no other system can provide

• Place travel services to many clients without affecting your marketing budget

• GDS is remarkably efficient in alluring international travelers. This is why the use of GDS among travel agents is increasing exponentially every year

• OTAs have greatly enhanced the travel shopping experience and convenience for customers and have enhanced pricing transparency

• Booking through a global distribution system is the best option for corporate travel agents when it comes to booking vacations, flights, hotels, and rental cars

• The global distribution system is the base to enter into corporate customers across the globe

• Agents can view all the changes instantly and will be able to suggest the new updates and offer to clients without any interference to make the deal

What are the features of the GDS (Global Distribution System)?

• 24 *7 travel agents receiving bookings

• Expose global inventory of airlines, hotels, cruise, cars, etc.

• Purchase preferred seat and other services from specific carriers

• Customer loyalty, best fares, and commissions

• Data maintenance and high availability at one place

• Access for both B2C and B2B travel booking engines

• GDS software can easily be integrated on Android, iOS, and Web platforms

• Provides access to real-time pricing and availability to make bookings online

• Offers best fares and commissions to travel agencies

• GDS makes it simple to manage and maintain data

• It provides a single-window interface for all of your marketing needs

• GDS software enables increasing the coverage to gain exposure to other travelers and travel agents

Trawex initiative to make travel business grow with GDS (Global Distribution System)

Trawex takes initiative to integrate travel businesses with the leading Global Distribution System. Being in the travel industry for decades we provide seamless and flexible travel portal development for our clients. Most importantly, we recommend GDS and travel API integration based on the requirements.

Trawex is a one-stop destination serving a vast range of travel products and services from the world’s leading GDS including Travelport (Galileo, Apollo, Worldspan), Amadeus, and Sabre, to clients across the globe.

Therefore, do not waste any more time, take full advantage of our travel portal API Integration services to get a large global inventory from multiple GDS systems, Low-Cost Carriers (LCCs), and accommodation providers.

Trawex, via GDS and XML/API integration, enables clients to easily expand their business in the global market.

Our developers have extensive experience working with major GDS providers and travel consolidators. They have already integrated numerous projects with Amadeus GDS, Travelport / Galileo GDS, and Sabre GDS in airline reservation systems, hotel reservation systems, car rentals, and other travel sector services.